Frame structure for vehicle

Abstract

A pair of diagonal members are arranged to extend from a substantially central position of a rear end panel extending in a widthwise direction of a vehicle body toward respective junctions of rear frames and a cross member. An end of each of the diagonal members is jointed to the rear end panel, and the other end thereof is jointed to the rear frame together with an end of the cross member. In addition, a guard block protruding toward a bumper beam is detachably fixed to the substantially central position of the rear end panel. Thus, such a frame structure for a vehicle can disperse and absorb an impact load in a low-speed crash or an offset crash.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a frame structure for a vehicle.[0002]The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-353946, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.[0003]Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 4, rear side frames (hereinafter referred to as rear frames) 1 and 1′ disposed on both right and left sides of a vehicle body have been connected to each other through a cross member 2 which extends in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body below a rear floor, and have been configured to maintain a strength for supporting a bumper beam 5 fixed in a cantilever manner through a rear end panel 3 and through bumper stays 4 and 4′ and to maintain a rigidity of the vehicle body.[0004]Incidentally, in this conventional frame structure, an impact load applied from a back side of the vehicle body to the bumper beam 5 due to a crash, for example, is transmitted through the bumper stays 4 and 4′ to the respect...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a frame structure for a vehicle that can effectively disperse and absorb impact load in low-speed crashes or offset crashes. The frame structure includes side frames, a cross member, bumper stays, a panel member, and a convex member. The frame structure is designed to optimize the rigidity of the side frames in the longitudinal direction in the offset crash, stabilize the deformation mode of the side frame, and improve passenger safety. The convex member can be easily detached and replaced after the crash, reducing repair costs. The frame structure also allows for a reduction in the strength of the bumper stays and the bumper beam against the impact load, reducing the weight and manufacturing costs of the vehicle.

Problems solved by technology

In this case, increase in a thickness and a length of the respective members for the rigidity of the rear frames 1 and 1′ and the strength of the bumper stays 4 and 4′ against the impact load from the back side as well as the bumper beam 5 would result in further adding manufacturing costs and weight thereof.

When the rear frame 1′ receiving the impact load is bent without collapsing in an axial direction, an absorption of the impact load may not be achieved as designed, whereby an unintentional deformation of the rear floor above the rear frames 1 and 1′ may hurt passengers in the vehicle (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.

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